Adjustable hat-creasing form or block.



M. F. THAU. ADJUSTABLE HAT OREASING FORM 0R BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN Q, 1911.

Patented July 18, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PMNOGRAPH CD WASHINGTON D C F. THAU.

- ADJUSTABLE HAT GREASING FORM OR BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 9, 1911,

Patented July 18,1911.-

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,, WASHINGTON. D. C.

M. F. THAU.

ADJUSTABLE HAT cnmsme FORM OR BLOCK.

APPLICATION IILED 1111.9, 1911.

Patented July 18, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 gal/4,24,47,4 W I??? MAX F. TI-IAU, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ADJUSTABLE HAT-CREASING FORM OR BLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1911.

Application filed January 9, 1911. Serial No. 601,570.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAX F. THAU, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Hat-Creasing Forms or Blocks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numbers of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. v

In creasing hats peripherally about the crown, it has heretofore been necessary for the hatter to provide as a part of his equip ment a separate block or form for substantially each size of hats, thus necessitating a large expenditure for tools which are useful for no other purpose than in connection with the size of hat for which intended. Such tools are expensive and considered in connection with the numerous other types of forms and blocks required by the hatter, require considerable space for storage when not in use.

The object of this invention is to afford a hat block and form for the purpose specified capable of adjustment for creasing and forming the crowns of hats of any of a number of different sizes, so that the number of implements required for such work by the hatter is thereby materially reduced.

It is also an object of the invention to afford in a device of the class described an adjustable block capable of use in hats of any of the usual sizes and adapted to receive therein an interior crown shaping block of any desired size, such as may be required to provide a peripheral crease about the crown or to provide other crown conformations, should it be desired.

It is also an object of the invention to afford an exceedingly cheap, simple and durable construction for the purpose described.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and more fully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure l is a central vertical section of a device embodying my invention, showing the forming ring or band elevated. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device in operation. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the crown block. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4=t of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the adjustable form and support. Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on line 6-6 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 7 is an enlarged section on line 77 of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawings: An adjustable form and support constructed of a strip of sheet metal 1, is provided in one end with parallel longitudinal slots and in the other with stud bolts 2, the heads of which are countersunk or recessed into the sheet, as shown in Fig. 8, with the threaded end of the bolts projecting inwardly. Said sheet or strip is sprung or bent to elliptical form and the ends of said bolts are projected througlrsaid slots in the opposite end of the strip and engaged in place by means of thumb nuts 3, which serve to adjustably, but rigidly, engage the ends of said strips together. Said sheet at the slotted end is provided on its periphery adjacent the lower edge with a scale indicating hat sizes, as

' shown in Fig. 5, to facilitate the quick adjustment of the same to fit within a hat of any of the sizes for which the same is to be used.

Secured within the inner side of the form at suitable distances apart in the periphery thereof, are brackets 1. These, as shown, are formed of metal and riveted or otherwise rigidly secured in place in the form, and each provides a horizontal ledge or support adjacent the inner wall of said form and an upwardly directed arm 5, spaced a distance therefrom and parallel with the inner wall of said form, as shown in Fig. 7. The upper bolt indicated by 6, whereby the ends of the form are secured together, is angular in cross section or otherwise shaped to receive thereon the bracket 7, secured at the joint between the ends of the form strip. Said bolt is of sufli-cient length to extend through the sleeve or shank of said bracket, and is provided as before described, with a thumb or wing nut 31, which rigidly secures the bracket in place. The arm of said bracket, as shown, is materially Wider than the arm 5 of the bracket 4, and is provided with a slot opening through the top thereof and parallel with the inner wall of the form, as shown in Fig. 6.

The crown form (constructed of sheet or cast metal or any suitable material) is supported on said brackets within the adjustable form. This comprises a fiat or other- Wise suitably shaped crown plate 8, and integral side walls 9, which extend downwardly and fit within the arms of the bracket parallel to the outer adjustable form. A pe ripheral bottom flange 10, integral with the side walls of the crown form, extends outwardly therefrom and serves as a spacing member to assist in centralizing the crown form within the outer adjustable form.

Riveted or otherwise secured on the wall 9, of the crown form approximately opposite the overlapped ends of the outer form, is a guide bracket 11, comprising a plate of metal provided at its ends with brackets to afford attachment with said walls and which are of equal length and hold said guide bracket substantially parallel with the wall ,of said form, as shown in Figs. 8 and 4.

Extending transversely across said crown form on the inner side thereof and reinforcing the crown plate on the under side is a metallic web or plate 12. An adjustable follower or creasing band 13, is provided for forming the crease between the wall of the crown form and the outer adjustable wall before described. This is constructed of a sheet or strip of metal longitudinally slotted at one end and provided with a stud bolt 14, at the other having a nut 15, thereon similar to the thumb or wing nut 3, before described, and which renders said ring or follower adjustable for different sizes of hats in the same manner as described with reference to the outer form.

As shown, the outer adjustable form or support is provided on its outer side with a scale reading from the top downwardly to indicate the different heights of crowns and to facilitate adjustment of the hat thereover to afford the required crown height, as shown in Fig. 5.

The operation is as follows: The hat is adjusted over the adjustable form and support, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the adjustable form, of course, having been first adjusted to the required size by means of the scale at the bottom of the form. The posi tion of the hat shown in Figs. 1 and 2, indicates that a one and a half inch crown is to be provided. When the hat is firmly secured in place, as shown in Fig. 1 the adjustable fol-lower or ring 13 first having been properly adjusted, is pressed downwardly on the crown to the position shown in Fig. 2, and the crown drawn tightly over the crown plate 8, is ironed thereon, thus setting the crown permanently to the desired shape, after which the follower or ring is removed, and the hat may be lifted from the form.

From the construction described it is evident that the outer form and support may be adjusted for hats of any size, as may also the adjustable follower or ring. The flange 10, of the crown form is of slightly less width than the space therefor between the wall 9, of the crown form and the wall of the outer adjustable form and support, and in consequence each of the crown forms, although not adjustable to size in itself, may be used for a number of sizes of hats and in practice, it is found that satisfactory work may be accomplished by utilizing the crown form for a medium size hat, for a number of sizes of smaller, and also for a number of sizes of larger hats, and with one crown form of a small size and one slightly larger than medium size, practically hats of all sizes may be shaped as described.

It is to be observed that the crown form is always centralized upon its brackets by the guide bracket 11, engaging in the slot in the bracket 7, and also in part by the bottom flange on the wall.

Of course, details of construction may be varied, and the crown form may be of any desired shape, dependent upon the conformation of the crown to be provided in the hat. I have shown the invention embodied in a form to provide hats with peripherally creased crowns, though obviously the shape of the crown will depend upon the shape of the crown form, and these of various forms may be provided, if desired.

I have shown but one of numerous possible embodiments of my invention which will readily suggest themselves from the construction described. I therefore do not purpose limiting myself in the patent when granted upon this application, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described an outer adjustable form and support, brackets projecting inwardly therefrom, and a crown form supported therein on said brackets.

2. A device of the class described embracing an outer adjustable form, brackets projecting inwardly thereof, a crown form supported on said brackets, and a following or shaping ring adapted to engage and press the crown inwardly between the outer form and the crown form.

o. A device of the class described embracing an adjustable form and support, marked peripherally to indicate hat sizes and vertically from the top to indicate crown heights, means adjusting the same to it within the hat, and brackets projecting inwardly therefrom.

4. A crown form of the class described embracing a block adapted to fit within the crown of the hat and to afford an ironing surface therefor, integral side walls, an outwardly projecting peripheral bottom flange on the side walls, and a reinforcing web or support beneath the crown plate and connected on the side walls.

5. In a device of the class described an adjustable outer form and support, brackets therein, a crown form supported on the brackets and centralized thereby within the aforesaid adjustable form, and an adjustable follower or shaping member adapted to engage between said forms to shape the hat crown.

In a device of the class described an adjustable form and support embracing a strip of metal longitudinally slotted at one end, inwardly projecting threaded stud bolts at the other adapted to engage through said slots, a bracket secured on one of said bolts and adjustable thereby within the form, brackets correspondingly rigidly secured in said form to coact therewith, and a crown form adapted for support on said brackets.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAX F. THAU.

Witnesses LAWRENCE REIBsTEIN, CHARLES W. HILLS, J r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

